Julia Kohli (Zurich)

A large scale study reveals a massive population decline of ortolan bunting, due to traditional hunting mainly in France. The study led by the Institute for Ecology and Evolution of the University of Bern, partnered with an international science team, studied the migration and demographic of the famous songbird (Emberiza hortulana).

Why this is important. The species is near extinction in Northern and Western Europe – in Switzerland the number dwindled to less than twenty. In France the songbird is considered a delicacy and despite its banishment from restaurant’s menus in 1999, its hunting never stopped. Around 30’000 birds are killed every summer in the southwest of France. In December 2016, the European Commission indicted France before the European Court of Justice for breaching the regulations of the Birds Directive.

Chaque semaine, notre correspondante à Zurich Julia Kohli décrypte pour vous les dernières innovations venues de Suisse allémanique:

Laboratoire de géothermie au Tessin. Dans le cadre de la stratégie énergétique 2050 lancée par la Confédération, l'ETH de Zurich a ouvert vendredi dernier un laboratoire à Bedretto au Tessin. C'est dans un tunnel au pied du Nufenen que l'école polytechnique a installé son centre de recherche pour la géothermie (EN). Selon les chercheurs, le lieu se prête parfaitement à des études sur les phénomènes thermiques permettant, à terme, de développer des sources d'énergie plus écologiques.

The safety of embryos and pregnant women is of special concern when medical substances need to be approved. Since animal testing is required by law before licensing drugs, toxicity is most commonly tested on gravid rabbits and other rodents. A new method developed by ETHZ could reduce redundant animal testing in early research phases.

Why this is important. The increasing consumption of pharmaceuticals products can result in serious birth defects in newborns. But early stages of drug safety research are characterized by trial and error. Moreover, animal testing is not only ethically disputed, but also expensive and time-consuming.

Instead of a wall, why don’t we build an energy park all along the 1,954 miles of the US-Mexico border? Bringing energy, water, jobs and border security to the region. That's the plan put forward by engineers and scientists from across the USA, led by Purdue University in Indiana.

The proposal suggests both nations work together on an enormous infrastructure project: a complex train of solar energy panels, wind turbines, natural gas pipelines, desalination facilities that together would create an industrial park unlike any other along the border.

Chaque semaine, notre correspondante à Zurich Julia Kohli (en partenariat avec la NZZ) scrute l’innovation en Suisse alémanique.

Le plateau-repas qui sauve la vie. Une étude internationale s'est penchée sur l’utilisation de compléments alimentaires pendant les séjours à l'hôpital (DE) et son impact sur la santé des patients. «Manger sainement, c'est le premier traitement», déclare l'auteur principal de l'étude et médecin-chef à l'hôpital cantonal d'Aarau.